Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District facts for kids
|
Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | One Park Rd., Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Area | 240 acres (97 ha) |
| Architect | Neutra, Richard; Alexander, Robert |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement, International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000284, 100000838 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 2005 |
| Designated NHLD | December 23, 2016 |
The Painted Desert Community Complex is a special group of buildings in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. It's like the main office and living area for the park staff. Famous architects Richard Neutra and Robert Alexander designed these buildings. They were built between 1961 and 1965.
This complex is unique because its design is very different from older park buildings. Instead of trying to blend in with nature, these buildings use straight lines and modern materials. They stand out on purpose!
Contents
What is the Painted Desert Complex?
The Painted Desert Community Complex is the main hub for the National Park Service in Petrified Forest National Park. It includes offices, places for park rangers and staff to live, and other important buildings. It was part of a big program called Mission 66. This program helped improve national parks across the United States.
Mission 66 Program
Mission 66 was a special project by the National Park Service. It ran from 1956 to 1966. The goal was to build new facilities and improve old ones in national parks. This was to get ready for more visitors after World War II. The Painted Desert Complex is a great example of the modern style used in this program.
Modern Architecture and Design
The buildings at the Painted Desert Complex show a style called "Modern Movement" or "International Style." This means they have clean lines, simple shapes, and often use materials like concrete, steel, and glass.
Older park buildings often tried to look like they were part of the natural landscape. They used local stone and wood. But the architects of the Painted Desert Complex wanted something different. They made buildings that clearly looked man-made. This creates an interesting contrast with the desert environment around them.
Key Buildings in the Complex
The most important building is the Painted Desert Visitor Center. This building is very modern and has many uses:
- It's a place where visitors can learn about the park.
- It has offices for park staff.
- There's an auditorium for presentations.
- It even has apartments for staff members.
Other buildings in the complex include:
- A community center for social gatherings.
- A school for children of park employees.
- A concession building, which might have shops or food services.
Smart Layout and Pathways
The architects, Neutra and Alexander, thought carefully about how people would move around the complex. They divided the area into public and private zones. Low walls help separate the areas where park services are from the main public spaces. The homes for staff are set a bit further away and face inward. This design helps guide people and keeps things organized.
Landscape Changes
When the complex was first built, the landscape around it was designed with plants that weren't native to the desert. These plants needed a lot of water to survive. Over time, the irrigation (watering system) was removed. Because of this, many of those non-native plants died. This changed how the landscape around the buildings looks today.
Historic Recognition
The Painted Desert Community Complex is considered very important. It has received two special honors:
- In 2005, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places that are important to American history.
- In 2016, it was named a National Historic Landmark District. This is an even higher honor, given to places that have exceptional national historical significance.
These honors help protect the complex and make sure its unique design is preserved for future generations.
